Privacy Policy — Perch

Perch ("Perch," "we," "us") is a brain dump and note-taking app. This Privacy Policy explains what we collect, why, who we share it with, and the controls you have.

Our principle is simple: your data is protected, not anonymous. Capture can be stored on your device. Signing in enables account backup and supported cloud features. We never sell your personal content or use it for ad targeting. Content sent to Anthropic through its commercial API is not used to train its models under its commercial terms. We collect the minimum we need to make the app work. This policy is operated by Anthony Dragone, the developer of Perch.

1. Information we collect

Information you give us

Account information. When you sign in with Apple, Google, or email, we receive an account identifier and, depending on the provider and your choices, your email address and name. Authentication and accounts are managed through Supabase and the sign-in provider you choose.

Your content. The notes, text, photos, drawings, voice recordings, brain-dump transcripts, added thoughts, and saved links or media you capture. We also store generated titles, maps, reflections, suggested next steps, connections, collections, and weekly recaps when these features are used.

Saved media details. The URL, caption, cover image, and a transcript or summary of links/posts you save.

Support messages and feedback. Any information you include when you contact us or submit a feature request. Settings’ Feature Requests board uses WishKit; requests and votes may be visible to other people using that board. Do not include private note content or other sensitive information in a public request.

Information collected automatically

Usage analytics via PostHog. We collect event-level usage data such as which screens/features are used, plus app version, OS, and device model. This is behavior, not content: session replay and automatic capture are OFF, and we do not send note text to analytics. You can turn analytics off in Settings.

Diagnostics. Perch may write local technical diagnostics, such as recording duration, transcript length, and request status, without the words of a note or credentials. Earlier app versions also use Sentry for crash reports (such as stack traces, app version, OS, and device model) tied to a pseudonymous identifier. Sentry session replay and PII capture are off, and note content is not intentionally sent to diagnostics.

Subscription status via Apple and RevenueCat. We receive information needed to determine whether you have an active subscription (and related receipt/status data). We do NOT receive your payment card details.

Device permissions (only when you use the feature)

Camera (to take a photo for a note), Microphone (to record a voice note or brain dump), and Photos (to pick the media you choose). Perch 2.0 transcribes brain dumps on your device using Apple SpeechAnalyzer; earlier versions may also request Speech Recognition permission.

A recording started in Perch can continue while the app is in the background or the phone is locked, until it is paused or stopped, subject to system interruptions. An optional Live Activity shows recording status and controls on the Lock Screen and Dynamic Island. It does not display transcript text. Perch does not start recording simply because the app is in the background.

Notifications are optional and are used for enabled reminders and scheduled note returns. Calendar access is requested only when using the calendar feature.

We do NOT collect your precise location.

2. How we use your information

We use your information to provide the service (store, sync, sort, and resurface notes), run AI features (see §3), process subscriptions, provide support, keep the app secure, and comply with the law. We do not use your content for advertising and we do not sell your personal information.

3. AI processing of your content

To provide AI features, relevant note text, brain-dump transcripts, saved-media details, and selected images or drawings may be sent through our backend to Anthropic (maker of Claude), via its commercial API. This supports generated titles and summaries, brain-dump maps and reflections, possible next steps, automatic collections, connections between notes, and weekly overviews. Features that compare notes may process relevant content from more than one saved note.

Brain-dump audio is transcribed on the device; the resulting text is sent for AI analysis, not the original brain-dump audio. A signed-in account’s saved audio may separately be uploaded to Supabase for account backup (see §4). Anthropic does not use commercial API content for model training under its commercial terms. Provider processing and retention are governed by the applicable service terms; AI processing is not end-to-end encrypted between you and the AI provider.

Media transcripts. Links and audio you save may be sent to Supadata for transcription. Voice notes are transcribed on your device using Apple speech recognition.

Saved links. When you save a link or post, its URL may be sent to ScrapeCreators to retrieve the post’s cover image, caption, and (for supported media) transcript.

AI output can be imperfect. Perch is a note-taking tool, not medical or professional advice.

4. Who we share information with

We share information only with service providers that run Perch, and only for the purposes described below. We do not sell your data or share it for advertising.

Apple provides Sign in with Apple and processes App Store payments and subscriptions, which supports account access and billing.

Google provides Sign in with Google, which supports account access.

Supabase provides authentication, database, storage, and backend functions. Signed-in account backup may include note text, transcripts, generated readings, photos, drawings, saved media, recordings, and associated metadata, so that content can be restored on supported devices. These backups are separate from on-device transcription.

Anthropic (Claude) processes the text, transcripts, saved-media details, and images described in §3 for AI features.

Supadata processes links and audio of media you save so we can generate transcripts for supported media.

ScrapeCreators processes the URLs of links/posts you save so we can retrieve their cover image, caption, and transcript.

Sentry receives crash and diagnostic data from earlier app versions (a pseudonymous identifier and technical information, not intentionally note content) to help detect and fix crashes.

WishKit provides the Feature Requests board. It receives submitted requests, votes, and a pseudonymous account identifier when available. Public board submissions may be visible to other users.

Resend delivers service emails, such as account welcome or trial-related messages, using an email address and the message information needed for delivery.

RevenueCat processes subscription status and receipt information so we can manage subscriptions.

PostHog receives usage events and basic device/app information (no note content) so we can understand product usage and improve Perch.

We may also disclose information if required by law or to protect users' rights and safety.

5. Data retention and deletion

We keep your account and content while your account is active. Settings provides Delete all notes and Delete account controls. Delete all notes keeps the account; Delete account removes the account and its associated content. Deletion is applied to local content and account backup through the supported deletion flow; completing cloud deletion requires a connection. Saved audio and media are included in that flow. Feature-board submissions already published through WishKit may need a separate removal request; contact us for help. Some billing records and limited backups may persist briefly as required by law or our providers. To keep a one-time free offer from being claimed repeatedly, we retain a single irreversible, scrambled marker derived from your sign-in email after deletion. It cannot be turned back into your email address, is not linked to any of your content, and is used only to recognise that the offer was already given. You can turn off analytics anytime in Settings.

6. Security

We use reputable infrastructure and protect data in transit and at rest. No method is 100% secure, but we work to protect your information and limit access to it.

7. Children

Perch is not directed to children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect their information.

8. Your rights and choices

Depending on where you live, you may have rights to access, correct, export, or delete your information, and to object to certain processing. Core controls are in-app (delete account, opt out of analytics); contact us for more.

California (CCPA/CPRA). We do not sell or "share" personal information. You have rights to know, delete, and non-discrimination.

EU/UK (GDPR). Legal bases are contract, consent (where applicable), and legitimate interests. You may complain to your data protection authority.

9. International data transfers

Perch is operated from the United States. Providers may process data in the US and other countries with different data-protection laws.

10. Changes to this policy

We may update this policy. Material changes update the "Last updated" date and, where appropriate, are communicated in the app or by another suitable method. Where a change requires consent, we will obtain it rather than treating continued use as consent.

11. Contact

Anthony Dragone — Perch — perch.support@gmail.com